Recovery retardation in equal channel angular pressed Al–Zr alloy during friction stir welding

The effect of Zr on reduction of hardness and microstructure in an FS weld of equal channel angular-pressed Al alloy was investigated. Zr addition to Al suppressed dynamic recovery in the thermomechanically affected zone and enabled retention of the high hardness of the ECA-pressed material throughout the weld.     

The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of finned tube banks in forced convection (effects of fin height on pressure drop characteristics)

In recent years the requirement for the reduction of energy consumption has been increasing to solve the problems of global warming and the shortage of petroleum resources. For example, in the power generation field, as thermal power generation occupied 60% of the power generation demand, considerable improvement of the thermal efficiency is required. This paper describes the pressure drop characteristics of finned tube banks used for heat exchangers in thermal power generation that were clarified by testing serrated finned tube banks with different fin heights for improved heat transfer and conventional spiral finned tube banks with different fin heights, and an equation to predict pressure drop which is necessary for the heat exchanger design is proposed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(3): 179–193, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20112     

STM tunneling spectroscopy on high Tc superconductors

STM tunneling spectroscopy has been performed on the bulk single crystals of BiSrCaCuO (BSCCO) and the epitaxial thin films of YBaCuO (YBCO) at cryogenic temperatures. The STM images and tunneling spectra observed on the (001) surfaces can be classified into three cases; 1) Atomic image is visible. However, the tunneling spectrum shows semiconducting or smeared superconducting gap structures, depending on the tip-sample distance. 2) Clear atomic image can not be obtained. But, the tunneling spectrum shows flat bottom region with quite low zero bias conductance. 3) Tunneling spectra demonstrate gapless behavior, independent of the tip-sample separation. These observations support the quasi-2D electronic picture in whichs-wave like 2D superconducting layers are coupled with each other through the Josephson effect.     

Quasi-optical waveguide-mode converters using a pair of phase correction mirrors

This paper describes a quasi-optical method for the conversion of modes transmitted through highly oversized circular waveguides. A waveguide-mode is radiated once from a waveguide cut in the form of a radiation beam, which is then properly shaped by two curved mirrors and directed back into the waveguide. The curved mirror shapes are iteratively and automatically determined for given propagation distances using the design technique for phase correction mirrors. The proposed method gives favorable results in designing a waveguide expander/reducer, a TE₀₁-TE₀₂ mode converter, and a TE₀₁-HE₁₁ mode converter.     

When West meets East: Contributions of Eastern traditions to the future of psychotherapy.

Discusses 2 interrelated traditions as they are reflected in contemporary and traditional approaches to psychotherapy in Japan. One uses various meditational and self-focusing instructional sets whose common goal is to facilitate the slowing down, deepening, and clearer focusing of sensory and interpersonal awareness. The 2nd tradition focuses on physical self-regulation and autonomic self-control through exercises that foster enhanced voluntary control over physical states and processes. Eastern psychology offers a set of practices that help the individual overcome the inherent selfishness of his/her isolated experience. The goals of such work include recognition of gratitude to important people in the client's life, rediscovery of the joy of meaningful work, and the experience of a unifying cosmic consciousness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Strengths and ductility of Mo–TiC alloys after secondary recrystallization

A series of Mo–TiC alloys were heated in vacuum at 2473 K for 36 ks. First grain growth behavior was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Then effects of TiC addition on the strengths and ductility at low temperature were discussed from the viewpoints of chemical composition and grain structure.

Materials with TiC additions of not larger than 0.1% demonstrated a single-crystalline grain structure. Both yield and maximum strengths increased by TiC addition and consequently ductility was improved.     

Distributed architecture for energy management D-structure

Electric power systems are expanding in size and complexity, and the requirement for the energy management system (EMS) is becoming more important. In this computer control system, a single control computer is used mainly as the primary computer and its software is very complicated because of its hugh number of small, quick tasks to obtain high response speed. Therefore, much effort is needed to develop and modify the programs, and the responsiveness of this centralized architecture varies greatly when many faults occur in the power system. This paper describes a new distributed architecture for the EMS. Distributed processors execute the functions cooperatively with periodic access to the common bulletin board database in which information about the power system exist. This architecture facilitates the software development and maintenance, and it also enhances the performance by the parallel processing of the distributed functions.     

Towards a Solution to the North‐South Problem

One of the most important issues in avoiding a global water crisis is to solve the confrontation between developed and developing countries. As Japan in the 20th century has experienced the shift from a developing country to a developed country, it should candidly share its precious historical experience, both its merits and demerits, with people throughout Monsoon Asia. Two practical proposals to economize water demand are as follows: to economize toilet water in a way that meets the conditions of each region; and to develop the effective utilization of water for irrigated rice paddies, not only in the Monsoon Asia but throughout the world. In short, new life-styles are necessary if the global water crisis is to be averted.     

Characteristics and classification of high-current fault arcs on distribution systems

When a fault occurs on transmission or distribution systems due to lightning or overvoltage, often an arc discharge occurs at the fault point. The arc discharge, which is caused by a fault current, has a high current, high temperature, strong light emission, etc., thus it sometimes causes heavy damages to electric power equipment. The arc discharge is influenced by the conditions around the arcs, i.e., gas, insulation materials, gap length, weather, etc. Also, the arc voltage along the arc column indicates the characteristics of the arc. If the voltage waveforms of the arcs caused by the fault on transmission or distribution systems are classified, it is possible to find the location and the equipment where the fault occurred. In this paper, the arc voltage data in 6-kV class XLPE cables and 6-kV class overhead lines are analyzed and an artificial neural network method is applied to classify the arc voltage waveforms. The results obtained from the six artificial neural networks developed show that the artificial neural network method is effective for classification of arc voltage waveforms if adequate input parameters are selected.     

Sulfur-containing compounds from Scorodocarpus borneensis and their antimicrobial activity

This paper reports two cases of neotropical echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus oligarthrus and E. vogeli, neither of which has been reported from Suriname. Case 1, a six-year-old boy, presented a 15 x 25 mm retro-ocular cystic tumor (observed by ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging) causing exophthalmia, chemosis, palpebral ptosis, and blindness of the left eye. Of two tentative diagnoses, Echinococcus cyst or dermoid tumor, the former was shown to be correct at surgery when a clear liquid and detached protoscoleces were aspirated. Rostellar hooks of the protoscolex were characteristic of E. oligarthrus. Case 2, a 41-year-old man, had polycystic masses excised from the liver and abdomen. A presurgery diagnosis of E. vogeli infection was made due to calcifications seen in the lesions, positive serology, residence of the patient in the tropical forest, and later by the size and shape of rostellar hooks. The presence of these two parasites in one of the former Guianas is not surprising; both species are endemic in tropical forest in Central and South America wherever people have not exterminated wild canids, especially the bush dog, (Speothos venaticus), and felids (wild cats of several species), along with pacas, agoutis, and other rodents that serve as intermediate host of these two cestodes. Eighty-six cases of polycystic echinococcosis are known in people from 11 countries from Nicaragua to Argentina: 32 due to E. vogeli, three to E. oligarthrus, and 51 for which determination of the species was not possible because the hooks of the protoscolex were not found or described. Research to elucidate aspects of transmission of E. vogeli and E. oligarthrus is of practical importance for defining measures for preventing the severe and frequently fatal illnesses caused by these two cestodes.